Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue

Abstract

A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissue to thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area without significant deterioration of the pumping function of the beating heart. The local area of heart tissue is immobilized to a degree sufficient to permit minimally invasive or micro-surgery on that area of the heart. The present invention features a suction device to accomplish the immobilization. The suction device is coupled to a source of negative pressure. The suction device has a series of suction ports on one surface. Suction through the device causes suction to be maintained at the ports. The device further is shaped to conform to the surface of the heart. Thus, when the device is placed on the surface of the heart and suction is created, the suction through the ports engages the surface of the heart. The suction device is further fixed or immobilized to a stationary object, such as an operating table or a sternal or rib retractor. Thus, the local area of the heart near the suction device is temporarily fixed or immobilized relative to the stationary object while suction is maintained. In such a fashion, the coronary artery may be immobilized even though the heart itself is still beating so that a bypass graft may be performed. In addition the suction device may be used in either a conventional, open-chest environment or in a minimally-invasive environment, e.g. endoscopic.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of performing open or closed chest cardiac surgery comprising: accessing a surface of the heart;   positioning a first member having a first suction port on the surface of the heart;   coupling a suction source to the suction port of the first member;   creating a suction with the suction source, the created suction then communicated to the first suction port;   grasping the surface of the heart with the suction in the first suction port; and   fixing the first member to a stationary object and performing a cardiac surgical procedure;.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of accessing a surface of the heart comprises a cutting through an intercostal space. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of accessing a surface of the heart comprises inserting an endoscope and a cutting instrument through the chest wall and cutting through the pericardium with the cutting instrument. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: positioning a second member having a second suction port on the surface of the heart;   coupling a suction source to the suction port of the second member;   grasping the surface of the heart with the suction in the second suction port; and   fixing the second member to the stationary object.